Weekly Discovery: FLEE

In today’s world of music, there tends to be a high value placed on constant output, often times leaving the art of consistency in the dust as artists unknowingly chase the short road of quantity over quality. One artist, however, separating himself within a sea of burgeoning talents, that seems to have found the perfect marriage between quality and quantity is Queens native Flee.

Song after song, project after project, the endless stream of work that fans receive never compromises quality, and with the inimitably infectious flows and hilarious, captivating wordplay that Flee brings to the table, we’re ready to watch him on his rapid ascent to the top in 2018.

That being said, Graduation Music is proud to present an interview we conducted with the NYC representative, marking the very first installment of our new weekly discovery series. Read the conversation below.

Flee! Where are you from? What was your childhood like?

I’m from Hollis, Queens, born and raised. My childhood was pretty normal and I grew up with 2 parents from Nigeria, 2 brothers, and 1 sister.

How and when did you start making music?

I started really recording in Delaware with my boy HB. I used to go to his crib after school and we would just record all day – that was like 2011. I honestly didn’t start releasing my music seriously until like late 2015.

Where does your inspiration come from when making music?

My inspiration comes from GhostGang, my friends, and most importantly, the situations I went through with females, lmao. Queens has also played a big role in my music because it’s where I’m from. I love Queens, it’s just a part of my blood and I’m going to continue to rep it as long as I rap.

How would you describe your sound and style to someone who has never heard your music?

FLEE.

Describe the perfect date.

Hmm, letting me fuck the first night is pretty lit and perfect to me.

How did you connect with 16yrold? When did you two start making music together?

While me and Xool was making the tape they had a session together so they cooked up the beat for “Rodman”. I used the song for my tape and 16 fucked with it, so ever since then we been cool.

What are your personal favorite songs within your own catalog of music?

No Sense, Wraith Dreams, Repeat, On & Off, Oh Word, YTO3GHOSTGANGSMOKEY… I got a lot of songs I fuck with, I can go for days.

How did you meet Stoopid Xool and how did Flee Going Stoopid come together as a project?

It’s funny cause I actually stole the beat for “Glizzy” off his SoundCloud and I hit him up telling him to fuck with me. He fucked with the song, so from there, he was willing to work. My manager made it happen actually, he flew Xool to NY and that’s how Flee Going Stoopid came about.

We was in the stu nonstop and I would knock out like 3-4 songs a day. Me and Xool got enough songs for 8 more tapes – Flee Going Stoopid was just the beginning.

You tend to work with the same producers for most of your music. What advantages come from establishing chemistry with just a few producers rather than working with a bunch?

I think it’s good to expand later on, but as an upcoming artist, I think it’s better for me to find my sound and stick to what suits me and what production I excel at. I eventually wanna expand and work with bigger names, but for right now, I’m cool with just working with Roca Beats, StoopidXool, Cash Cobain, and a few others.